HELP NEEDED: Less than two weeks after our rescue of 33 dogs, our Animal Welfare & Response Team was back on the road to assist in the urgent rescue of another large group of pets in need. This time, it was 35 animals on a property in western Iowa.
Read the full story: https://ow.ly/loc850YpRHe
Wiener dog races are just as cute as they sound! Join us on April 4 for Doxie Dash, where dachshunds will take the ice at the first intermission of the Buccaneers game and race to see who is the fastest in the metro!
Learn more and get your tickets at https://ow.ly/4hzK50YpoLR.
Bonded Buddies Peppermint and Yukon Cornelius arrived at the shelter shy, but they’ve made great progress and are now two sweet kittens who love scritches, toys, and cozy places to nap.
Learn more about them at https://ow.ly/hVxv50YoUwX and email meetme@arl-iowa.org to set up a visit!
Thomas is in search of the perfect spot to curl up for a nap. Ideally, it would be your lap. He’ll also accept your bed at night, but beware – he’s a total bed hog.
Learn more about Thomas at https://ow.ly/tMkm50YolBf and email Mary at mccarroll@arl-iowa.org to meet him!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Stu was adopted in April 2025. "Stu is the best boy, we really couldn’t be happier. He is so much fun and completes our lives. We really don’t know what he will come up with next he has the best personality."
Our next DNA Day is March 28! If you’ve ever wondered why your dog looks a certain way, DNA Day is for you! Just RSVP, the pick up your DNA kit on March 28 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at our Animal House booth outside Bailey’s Bark Park.
Learn more and reserve your kit at https://ow.ly/JSOy50YnepN.
COOL CAT ALERT: Oliver is a fun, mischievous and spunky boy! All he needs is a family to help him open up and show off his amazing personality. Could that be you?
Learn more about Oliver at https://ow.ly/KKvX50YngB4 and email Mary at mmccarroll@arl-iowa.org to set up a visit!
Let your dog enjoy their own Easter egg hunt at Eggstravaganza, a perfect spring event for dogs March 28 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at ARL Main!
General admission is just $10 and we have fun add-ons available! Register at https://ow.ly/1F1T50Yn6bq.
Presented by Fetch Pet Insurance
Benji is a dream bunny! This outgoing, affectionate boy actively seeks attention and hops right up to you for pets. He's comfortable being held and truly seems to enjoy human interaction.
Learn more about Benji at https://ow.ly/5v0L50Ynh2A and meet him at ARL West!
AWESOME DOG ALERT: Looking for a hiking buddy as the weather warms up? Bones might be the guy for you! This boy loves staying active and can’t wait to have tons of fun with his new family.
Come meet him at ARL Animal Services!
Learn more about Bones at https://ow.ly/e5NT50YngmJ.
Meet Mickey, a handsome gentleman with striking green eyes and a big personality to match his size. He's a professional snuggler, dedicated snack enthusiast, and full-time supervisor of whatever you’re doing.
Learn more at https://ow.ly/Ilyo50Ymc31 and meet him at ARL Main!
Camp Kindness is coming up soon (3/17-19) and there are only a few spots left! If you have kids in grades 2-4, register them for this half-day camp full of crafts, games, and time with shelter pets!
Registration is $100/child and includes a T-shirt and snacks. Register at https://ow.ly/7rgN50Yfb43.
AWESOME DOG ALERT: Look how unique Gooey is! His two different eyes are absolutely gorgeous, and he has a great personality to match!
Learn more about Gooey at https://ow.ly/CtrF50Ykzs3 and meet him at ARL Main!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Goose (cat) was adopted in March 2025. "Goose has adjusted very well and become great friends with my two dogs. My dog, Trixie, was nervous around Goose, but Goose really wanted to be Trixie's friend. She won Trixie over and now enjoys snuggling up to her."
DOUBLE FLOOF ALERT: Bonded Buddies Nikita and Rafiki are GORGEOUS and looking for a home together. Both are affectionate, cuddly cats who will love handing out near you. They also love cuddling together.
Learn more about Nikita and Rafiki at https://ow.ly/ZHyN50Yj8cv and meet them at ARL Main!
Honey Ham loves to lounge on the couch with her head hanging off the side. It’s totally adorable. She’s also a certified pillow thief and snoring machine, but she’s so cute you can’t be annoyed!
Learn more at https://arl-iowa.org/adopt/214245/find-a-pet/pet-detail/ and meet her at ARL Main!
Miss Kitty is looking for a family who loves the quiet life like her! She’ll enjoy purring while you pet her, cuddling in bed, and looking out the window to see what’s happening outside.
Learn more about Miss Kitty at https://ow.ly/yiHC50Yj6qZ and email Mary at mmccarroll@arl-iowa.org to meet her!
AWESOME DOG ALERT: Halle Berry has the biggest heart. She’s just as happy to lounge around and soak up affection as she is playing with toys and LOVES meeting new friends.
Does Halle Berry sound like the girl for you? Learn more about her at https://ow.ly/JlzH50Yit9C and come meet her at ARL Main!
DON’T MISS OUT! Our Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner is just a few days away! Join us Feb. 22 at OPA! Italian and Greek or Feb. 23 at The Rewind Hotel with Johnny's Italian Steakhouse for a spaghetti and marinara dinner.
Learn more and get tickets at https://ow.ly/auL650YipmS!
AWESOME DOG ALERT: How cool is King Ferdinand?! Not only can he rock a pair of sunnies, he’s also super smart, cuddly and friendly with new people. This dog has it all!
Learn even more awesome things about King Ferdinand at https://ow.ly/QfEu50YhTtH and email meetme@arl-iowa.org to set up a visit!
CUDDLEBUG ALERT: Oswald loves hopping up on the couch with you and sleeping in bed with his people! Butt scratches are his fave, and he just can’t get enough time with his people.
Learn more about Oswald at https://ow.ly/9tZU50YhnXj and email meetme@arl-iowa.org to set up a visit with him!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Jackie was adopted in May 2025. "Jackie is a cute little dog. She has made friends with my friend’s dogs and has playdates. She is also close to my human friends. She goes nearly everywhere with me, except work."
TRAIN YOUR PUP! Have you been wanting to get your dog into training classes? Want to start your puppy out on the right paw? We have Good Manners, Adolescent Life Skills and Puppy Life Skills classes starting NEXT WEEKEND!
Find all upcoming classes at https://ow.ly/2t0r50YfrFB.
COOL CAT ALERT: Need a buddy to chat with? Jasper is the cat for you! He likes to talk and will let you know when he wants you to sit down so he can hop up for pets.
Interested in adopting Jasper? Come meet him at ARL Main!
Learn more about Jasper at https://ow.ly/cAsO50YfvcI.
Dumble-Dug has been with us the longest out of any of our adoptable dogs, and we have NO IDEA why such an amazing boy is still here! He loves snuggles, chilling on the couch and going on walks.
Learn more at https://ow.ly/QLKz50YfuZF and email meetme@arl-iowa.org to meet him!
Today is the LAST DAY to submit our ex’s name and Neuter Your Ex! For $15, we’ll name a feral cat after your ex, then spay/neuter them and release them through our trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to stop the breeding cycle.
Go to https://ow.ly/Jbws50Y8ijB before midnight tonight to participate!
HELP NEEDED: It was before dawn yesterday when our Animal Welfare & Response Team hit the road to assist law enforcement with 33 dogs in dire need about an hour north of Des Moines. We arrived to find dogs chained to trees or trapped in makeshift pens.
Read the story: https://ow.ly/Zmmy50YfoWI
Have an animal-loving child in grades 2-4? Register them for Camp Kindness at ARL Main! Camp is 8-noon March 17-19 and offers animal-focused learning, crafts, games and time with shelter pets. Registration is $100 and includes a T-shirt and snacks.
Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/S5wG50Yfb42
We're excited to announce that, thanks to your votes, we've won FOUR categories for Cityview's Best of Des Moines awards: Best Nonprofit, Best Place to Host a Corporate Event/Party, Best Place to Host a Kid's Birthday Party, and Best Local Event (Raise Your Paw Auction). Thank you for voting ARL!
PUPPY FOSTER HOMES NEEDED: We have a LOT of puppies in our care right now, and most of our current puppy foster homes are full, so we need your help! Just go to https://bit.ly/3Lus4qd to fill out a foster application!
Can't help right now? Spread the word!
